On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 2:02 PM, Jon Davies <jon.dav...@wikimedia.org.uk>wrote:
> I understand your fear of appearing political but it is not political to > respond to government consultations - that is a civic duty. > > The Charity commission is very clear about this: > > All charities are united by having a vision of a better society. They have > many different purposes, and are focused on different needs. But in the > main they are united by a desire to achieve change, whether for > a particular group of people in need, or for the wider common good. It is > not surprising then that many charities wish to speak out, to use their > voice and influence, and to campaign for the changes that would best help > them achieve their purposes. > Have a look at the guidance in detail: > http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Charity_requirements_guidance/ccpubs3.aspx > > So it is then up to a charity to decide 'what is relevant' In our case we > felt that SOPA/PIPA was relevant and went as far as to black out the > English Wikipedia for a day. > Not a decision I agreed with. ;) It is indeed commendable if Wikimedia UK responds to a government consultation, but I'd prefer it if it weren't under the aegis of the Open Rights Group, or any other lobbying group. That's all. Jimbo once said something, when speaking of Wikipedia's non-commercialism, to the effect that Wikipedia should be a "temple of the mind". With the advent and growth of the Pirate Party, Internet regulation is a party-political issue. And when it comes to such issues, I would like Wikimedia to be as neutral as Switzerland. :) We should be committed to education, not political action. That doesn't mean that Wikimedia can't respond to a government consultation, and tell government how a proposed bill would affect it. I am under no illusion that I am expressing an opinion likely to be particularly popular here. But I thought I'd mention it. Regards, Andreas > More recently we were consulted on copyright issues and with community > support we were able to make our case > > The board agreed that this would be a suitable issue to comment on. > > Thanks for your input, > > Jon Davies. > > On 3 August 2012 13:54, Andreas Kolbe <jayen...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> I would be strongly opposed to endorsing political lobbying groups on >> this or any other issues. I would like Wikimedia UK to be an educational >> organisation that remains fastidiously neutral on these conflicts and does >> not take any political sides, whether it is the side of the Pirate Party >> (featured quite prominently on the ORG website) or any of the more >> mainstream parties. >> >> Andreas >> >> On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Jon Davies >> <jon.dav...@wikimedia.org.uk>wrote: >> >>> I sent this around a while back. >>> The ORG would like our support. >>> >>> Joscelyn Upendram is preparing a simple reponse on our behalf, if anyone >>> wants to offer her ideas contact her directly >>> >>> Jon Davies. >>> -------------------------------- >>> >>> From ORG: >>> >>> 'Peter, is preparing a CDB briefing for companies and holders of user >>> comms data. This is pretty much where you are as an organisation, although >>> you may wish to make broader points if you put evidence to the >>> consultation.' >>> >>> The deadline is August 23, and details are here: >>> >>> >>> http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/news/call-for-evidence/ >>> >>> -- >>> *Jon Davies - Chief Executive Wikimedia UK*. Mobile (0044) 7803 505 169 >>> tweet @jonatreesdavies >>> >>> Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and >>> Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513 >>> Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, >>> London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. >>> Telephone (0044) 207 065 0990. >>> Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate >>> Wikipedia, amongst other projects). It is an independent non-profit >>> organization with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for >>> its contents. >>> >>> Visit http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/ and @wikimediauk >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimedia UK mailing list >>> wikimediau...@wikimedia.org >>> http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l >>> WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia UK mailing list >> wikimediau...@wikimedia.org >> http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l >> WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org >> >> > > > -- > *Jon Davies - Chief Executive Wikimedia UK*. Mobile (0044) 7803 505 169 > tweet @jonatreesdavies > > Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and > Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513 > Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, > London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. > Telephone (0044) 207 065 0990. > Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate > Wikipedia, amongst other projects). It is an independent non-profit > organization with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for > its contents. > > Visit http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/ and @wikimediauk > > > _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia UK mailing list > wikimediau...@wikimedia.org > http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l > WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org > >
_______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediau...@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org
